5 Easy Meals for Students on a Budget! : Cheap and quick!

Hungry but too lazy to get ready to get food? Running on deadlines and a budget? Worry no more! Here are 5 Easy Meals for Students on a Budget! Affordable, quick, and won’t break your kitchen!

Hello there, hungry student! Are you prepared to embark on a culinary expedition that won’t drain your bank account or consume all of your valuable study time? Well, you’re in luck because I have five easy meals for students that are both economical and pleasing to your taste buds! 

Whether you’re cramming for exams or simply in need of a quick snack in between classes, these cost-effective recipes are here to come to the rescue. So, put on your chef’s hat (or, you know, your favorite cozy hat), roll up your sleeves, and let’s delve into some delightfully delicious dishes that won’t leave your wallet feeling lighter than your backpack! Are you ready? 

Let’s start cooking! 🍳🥘🍝

5 Easy Meals for Students on a Budget!

Eggs in a Nest ( Or, we call  it “telur separuh masak with roti bakar”)

If you’ve been longing for bread soaked in rich, runny egg yolk, and want to try making it at home, eggs nestled in toast is a creative spin on a familiar favorite you can whip up in under 5 minutes without leaving the house.  

• Ingredients:

1. 1 egg
2. 1 slice of bread
3. Salt and pepper

• Instructions

1. Cut out a hole in the center of the bread to form a “nest” for the egg to sit in.  
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a frying pan and toast both sides of the bread. 
3. Once toasted on both sides, crack an egg into the hole and season with salt and pepper.
4. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.

Note: You can add cheese or cooked meat slices on top of the egg for a heartier meal. After adding toppings, cover the pan with a lid for an extra 3 minutes or until the cheese melts.

We recommend Mozarella or Cheddar!

2 Mins Microwaved Scrambled Eggs

Some mornings, hitting snooze is so tempting that getting out of bed seems impossible. For those days when you need a quick breakfast, these microwaved scrambled eggs are ready in under 2 minutes. 

• Ingredients:  

1. 2 eggs
2. 2 tablespoons milk  
3. Salt and pepper to taste
4. 1 mug

• Instructions

1. Lightly grease a mug with vegetable oil or butter.   
2. Crack the eggs into the mug, add milk, salt, and pepper and stir together. Cover with plastic wrap, poking a few small holes for ventilation.  
3. Microwave on medium-high power for 1 minute and 45 seconds, stirring a few times during cooking.

If you have a bit more time, you can also sauté mushrooms and tomatoes in a pan with 1 teaspoon olive oil over high heat for 10 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

We recommend white button mushrooms! Yums!

Air Fried Baked Potatoes

Sometimes, you want a fancy easy meal, with cheese, and potatoes. Because who does not love baked creamy potatoes? But then you remember, you have an assignment due in two hours. Fret not, this air fryer baked potatoes is easy as it can get!

• Ingredients

1. 2 russet potatoes 
2. Vegetable oil for coating 
3. Sea salt flakes
4. Unsalted butter for serving

• Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C. Poke holes in each potato with a knife tip, then rub all over with the oil.
2. Place the potatoes in the air fryer and sprinkle with salt flakes. Cook for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway, until deeply crisp on the outside and fluffy inside. 
3. Slice them open, fluff the interior slightly, then add more salt and a pat of butter. 
4. Enjoy as is or top with desired toppings.

Cheesy Ramen

An easy and tasty way to modify plain instant ramen noodles while in university is to add melted cheese. With just a few basic components, you can quickly make this upgraded college dorm version of ramen.

• Ingredients

1. 2 cups of water
2. 1 package (3 ounces) of dried ramen noodles, any flavor
3. 1 slice of American cheese

• Instructions

1. First, gather the water, ramen noodles, and cheese together. 
2. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Once boiling, add in the dried ramen noodles and cook for around 2 minutes until they become tender. 
3. Drain out all of the water from the pan. Next, stir in the seasoning packet and cheese slice until everything is thoroughly combined. The cheese will melt from the heat of the noodles, resulting in a creamy, cheesy ramen!

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Can we ever say no to the quickest yet cheesiest simple sandwich ever?

• Ingredients:

1. 4 slices of white bread
2. 3 tablespoons of butter, separated
3. 2 slices of Cheddar cheese

• Instructions:

1. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spread a generous amount of butter on one side of a slice of bread. Place the bread with the buttered side down on the hot skillet and add a slice of cheese. 
2. Butter one side of another slice of bread and place it on top of the cheese, with the buttered side facing up.
3. Cook until the bread is lightly browned on one side. Flip it over and continue cooking until the cheese is melted. 
4. Repeat the process with the remaining two slices of bread, butter, and cheese.

There you have it, fellow food adventurers! Five easy meals for students to satisfy your cravings without emptying your pockets or taking up all your study time. From the comforting embrace of cheesy ramen to the quick-and-easy goodness of eggs in a nest, these dishes are here to rescue you from hunger-induced despair.

So, the next time you’re feeling peckish and your wallet is looking a little sad, remember these culinary delights. With just a few simple ingredients and a sprinkle of student ingenuity, you can whip up a meal that’s as delicious as it is budget-friendly.

 Happy cooking, my hungry students! 🍽️✨

OTHER RECIPES YOU CAN TRY

5 Easy Overnight Oats Recipes: No more morning blues!